I have always had a love/hate relationship with science. I still remember the day in 3rd grade when I called a frog a toad in class. Science is also the only class in high school where I completely bombed a test. Yet, I did love my high school science teacher, and I am thankful for how she daily wrestled with issues of science and faith.
When I saw the news earlier this year that Fuller Institute was doing research on the lives of Emerging Adults – I became ecstatic.
There are three major reasons why this new research excites me:
1. The use of the word emerging adult shows an awareness and acceptance of how the human life phase has shifted.
2. Research is being done to help us understand the Millennial Exodus, and how the church can respond.
3. Fuller Youth Institute has recently launched some great material – including Stick Faith. (Which has brought attention to the question – Why do some emerging adults stick with their religious faith while others leave?)
Here are some great lines from the announcement:
- Nonetheless, engaging the Gospel with science is critical because, according to Barna’s David Kinnaman, one primary reason that one-third of 18-30 years olds are leaving the church is that it’s seen as “anti-science”.
- Bring mainstream science to church, create communities that discuss the integration of faith and science, and there God will be revealed.
You can keep up with this research by checking out the STEAM website. (STEAM – stands for Science and Technology for Emerging Adult Ministries.)
There is so much that we do not understand about emerging adults, and how their faith is changing individually during this life phase. At EA Resources, it is our passion to encourage research, and provide resources to parents and churches who seek to minister to emerging adults.
